Complaining about our lot in life seems almost… human. But what does Jewish tradition say about this very human tendency?
The Legends of the Jews, that incredible compilation by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, includes stories and interpretations that delve into the heart of this question. One passage really struck me – it speaks of a person complaining about suffering. And GOD, in turn, gently rebukes them.
It’s not a harsh condemnation, mind you. More of a… cosmic perspective check.
The Almighty asks: "Why didst thou murmur when suffering came upon thee?" It's almost like a loving parent trying to help a child understand a difficult lesson. The text continues, "Dost thou think thyself of greater worth than ADAM?" Think about that for a moment. Adam, the first human, the pinnacle of creation, who faced mortality because of one single act. And yet, "Adam murmured not."
Wow.
But it doesn't stop there. We're then asked if we consider ourselves more worthy than ABRAHAM, the patriarch tested beyond measure. Remember the covenant? God tells Abraham, “Know of a surety that thy seed will be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years" (Genesis 15:13). That's a heavy burden to bear! But Abraham, according to this legend, accepted it without complaint.
And what about MOSES? The man who led the Israelites out of Egypt, spoke directly to God, and yet was denied entry into the Promised Land because he momentarily lost his temper, uttering the words, "Hear now, ye rebels; shall we bring you forth water out of this rock?" (Numbers 20:10). Even Moses, with all his greatness, faced disappointment with quiet dignity.
Finally, the text turns to AARON. Aaron, the High Priest, who, according to the legend, was so revered that even the angels withdrew from the Holy of Holies when he entered. Yet, when his two sons died, a profound tragedy, he, too, remained silent in his grief.
What’s the takeaway here? It's not that we're forbidden from feeling pain or sorrow. It's that perspective matters. These figures, held up as paragons of faith and resilience, faced immense challenges. Their stories aren’t meant to shame us into silence, but to remind us that suffering is a part of life, even for the most righteous.
Maybe, just maybe, when we face our own trials, we can draw strength from their examples. Not by denying our pain, but by finding a deeper understanding of our place in the grand tapestry of existence. Perhaps by acknowledging that even in our darkest moments, we are part of a lineage of individuals who faced adversity with faith and fortitude.